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Xavier Thomas Recruiting Update: Commitment Date Set
Five-star defensive end Xavier Thomas has a commitment date set for when he'll announce his decision between the Clemson Tigers and the South Carolina Gamecocks.
February 26, 2017
Five-star defensive end Xavier Thomas has a commitment date set for when he’ll announce his decision between the Clemson Tigers and the South Carolina Gamecocks.
In December, we learned the race for 5-star prospect Xavier Thomas was officially down to two schools: Clemson and South Carolina.
We now know when the nation will find out where Thomas will spend his collegiate football career. The No. 1 defensive end and No. 1 overall player in the CI 25 player rankings announced he intends to go public with his college commitment on his birthday, Dec. 20, 2017.
Thomas will spend his senior season at the IMG Academy but is originally from Florence, SC, and has determined he’d like to spend his college years close to home.
It’s understood that Thomas once thought the Gamecocks were the only team for him. Had Steve Spurrier remained the head coach in Columbia, the 5-star defensive end would have already been committed to South Carolina.
But now Will Muschamp is at the helm and will have to go toe-to-toe with Dabo Swinney for Thomas’ pledge.
That’s easier said than done.
Despite the fact Muschamp has won multiple high-profile recruiting battles in his time as a head coach, especially for star defensive prospects, Swinney’s Tigers are coming off of a national championship.
Plus, Clemson can offer Thomas early playing time as well. With the way Dexter Lawrence thrived as a true freshman this past season, the precedent has been set for young defensive linemen to have a chance to make an impact early on in Death Valley and possibly leave school early.
That will likely play a role in Thomas’ decision.
